Compactor machine cleaning device

ABSTRACT

A cleaning device assembly for a drum of a compactor machine is provided. The cleaning device assembly includes a support member connected to a frame of the compactor machine. The cleaning device assembly further includes a linkage member having a first end and a second end. The linkage member pivotally connected to the support member at the first end. The cleaning device assembly further includes a mounting plate pivotally connected to the linkage member at the second end thereof. The cleaning device assembly further includes a cleaning device mounted to the mounting plate and the cleaning device extends along a length of the drum.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a compactor machine, and more particularly relates to a cleaning device for a drum of the compactor machine.

BACKGROUND

Compactors are extensively used in the road construction industry for construction and repair of the road surfaces. For example, vibratory compactors are used to compact the soil or hot mix asphalt or the cold mix asphalt for a purpose of patching and repairing of roads, highways, sidewalks, parking lots, and the like. A typical vibratory compactor includes at least one drum for compacting a surface. Compactors for either soil or asphalt tend to collect residue on the drum's surface, due to adhesion. Drum cleaning devices, such as scrapers and/or absorbent mats are provided to remove the collected residue from and lubricate the surface of the drum. Typically, the cleaning device is rigidly attached to a frame of the compactor and positioned to contact the drum's surface. Sometimes, a biasing member, such as a spring, may be used to bias the cleaning device against the drum's surface.

PCT Application No. 2015034502 discloses a device for cleaning a drum surface of an asphalt compactor. The device has a first bracket and a second bracket fixed to a frame of the compactor, a first supporting arm pivotably connected to the first bracket, a second supporting arm pivotably connected to the second bracket, a roller shaft supported by the supporting arms and is parallel to the rotation axis of the drum, a roller wiper mounted to the roller shaft and is extending along the width of the drum, contacting the surface of the drum.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a cleaning device assembly for a drum of a compactor machine is provided. The cleaning device assembly includes a support member connected to a frame of the compactor machine. The cleaning device assembly further includes a linkage member having a first end and a second end. The linkage member is pivotally connected to the support member at the first end. The cleaning device assembly further includes a mounting plate pivotally connected to the linkage member at the second end thereof. The cleaning device assembly further includes a cleaning device mounted to the mounting plate. The cleaning device extending along a length of the drum.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a machine is provided. The machine includes a frame, a compacting member supported by the frame and a cleaning device assembly for the compacting member. The cleaning device assembly includes a support member connected to a frame of the compactor machine. The cleaning device assembly further includes a linkage member having a first end and a second end. The linkage member is pivotally connected to the support member at the first end. The cleaning device assembly further includes a mounting plate pivotally connected to the linkage member at the second end thereof. The cleaning device assembly further includes a cleaning device mounted to the mounting plate. The cleaning device extending along a length of the compacting member.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the cleaning device assembly further includes an absorbent mat mounted to the mounting plate. The absorbent mat extending along a length of the compacting member and contacting a surface of the compacting member. The cleaning device assembly further includes a spray assembly configured to spray a liquid onto the surface of the compacting member.

Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a compactor machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cleaning device assembly for a drum of the compactor machine of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a linkage member of the cleaning device assembly of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a compactor machine 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The compactor machine 100 may be used for compacting a surface, such as soil or hot mix asphalt or the cold mix asphalt. In the illustrated embodiment, the compactor machine 100 is a double drum vibratory soil compactor, having a first compacting drum 102 and a second compacting drum 104 rotatably mounted to a frame 106. In an embodiment, the first compacting drum 102 and the second compacting drum 104 may be resiliently mounted to the frame 106 of the compactor machine 100 to reduce the vibration forces transmitted through the frame 106, to other components of the compactor machine 100. In various other embodiments, the compactor machine 100 may be a soil compactor, an asphalt compactor, a vibratory asphalt compactor or the like.

The compactor machine 100 may further include a power source 108 for driving the various components. The power source 108 may include an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine may be, without any limitation, a gasoline or diesel engine, a natural gas engine, and the like. The machine 100 may further include an operator station 110 having one or more control means, such as, levers, pedals or user interface devices, to control the various operations of the compactor machine 100. The frame 106 may include a front section 112 and a rear section 114. Further, the frame 106 may include a pair of opposite side members 116 extending downwardly from the front and rear sections 112, 114 such that the compacting drums 102, 104 are rotatably supported by the side members 116. The compacting drums 102, 104 may include respective vibratory mechanism (not shown) that may be operatively connected to motors (not shown), and the motors are operatively connected to the power source 108. During the operation, the compactor machine 100 for either soil or asphalt may have a tendency to collect residue on compacting surfaces 118 of the respective compacting drums 102, 104 due to adhesion. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the compacting drums 102, 104 may be provided with a cleaning device assembly 120, to remove the collected residue and lubricate the compacting surface 118 of the compacting drums 102, 104. The cleaning device assembly 120 may be connected to the frame 106 of the compactor machine 100.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cleaning device assembly 120, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the cleaning device assembly 120 may be associated with the first compacting drum 102 of the compactor machine 100. In another embodiment, another cleaning device assembly may also be associated with the second compacting drum 104. The cleaning device assembly 120 may include support members 202, two support members 202 are shown in FIG. 2, connected and protruding downward from the frame 106 of the compactor machine 100. In the present embodiment, the support members 202 may be coupled to the frame 106 of the compactor machine 100. In an alternative embodiment, the support members 202 may be coupled to the side members 116 of the frame 106. The cleaning device assembly 120 may further include two linkage members 204, 205 such that each of them may include a first and a second spherical rod ends 206, 208.

Each of the linkage members 204, 205 may be pivotally connected to the support member 202 at the respective first spherical rod ends 206. The cleaning device assembly 120 further includes mounting plates 210 pivotally connected to the linkage members 204, 205 at the respective second spherical rod ends 208. The first spherical rod ends 206 of the linkage members 204, 205 may include a bearing support 212 such that a first bolt 214 may be used to pivotally connect the linkage members 204, 205 with the support members 202. It will be apparent to a person haying ordinary skill in the art, the support members 202 may also include an aligned hole (not shown) with the bearing support 212 of the first spherical rod ends 206 and configured to receive the first bolt 214. This pivotal connection may enable a uni-axial rotation of the linkage members 204, 205 about an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis AA′ of the first compacting drum 102.

As illustrated, each of the mounting plate 210 may be an L-shaped bracket and has an upstanding attachment portion 220 and a base portion 222. The upstanding attachment portion 220 may include hole (not shown) to receive a second bolt 22,4 for pivotally connecting the second spherical ends 208 of the respective linkage members 204, 205. Further, the cleaning device assembly 120 includes a cleaning device 218 mounted to the mounting plates 210. The cleaning device 218 may extend along a length of the first compacting drum 102 and rigidly fastened with the base portion 222 of the mounting plate 210. The cleaning device 218 further includes an absorbent mat 226 contacting the compacting surface 118 of the first compacting drum 102. The cleaning device assembly 120 further includes a spray assembly 228 configured to spray a liquid onto the compacting surface 118 of the first compacting drum 102. The pivotal connection, between the mounting plates 210 and the linkage members 204, 205, may help to maintain the cleaning device 218 in contact with the compacting drum 102 even in case of a protuberance on the road or paving surface.

The absorbent mat 226 may absorb the liquid sprayed by the spray assembly 228. The spray assembly 228 may include a plurality of nozzles 230 disposed on a supply pipe 232. The nozzles 230 may spray the liquid on to the compacting surface 118. The spray assembly 228 may evenly distribute the liquid through the plurality of nozzles 230 across the compacting surface 118 of the first compacting drum 102. The supply pipe 232 may be connected with a fluid supply system including hydraulic lines and fluid pump powered by the power source 108 of the machine 100. The supply pipe 232 is also mounted to the frame 106 at auxiliary support extending from the frame 106. In an embodiment, the liquid may include, but not limited to water and lubricant.

The cleaning device assembly 120 further includes a scraper blade 234 extending along the longitudinal axis AA′ of the first compacting drum 102. The scraper blade 234 may remove the residual material, such as soil or hot mix asphalt or the cold mix asphalt from the compacting surface 118. The scraper blade 234 may be a rubber blade that may be attached with nuts and bolts 236 to the frame 106 of the machine 100.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the linkage member 204 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The linkage members 204, 205 further include a bolt 216 and a pair of nuts 217. In one embodiment, the bolt 216 located between the first spherical rod end 206 and the second spherical rod end 208 may be used to adjust the length of the linkage members 204, 205. The cleaning device assembly 120 further includes a biasing member 238 engaged between the support members 202 and the linkage members 204, 205. The biasing member 238 may be configured to press the cleaning device 218 against the compacting surface 118 of the first compacting drum 102. Further, in an embodiment, the biasing member 238 may include, but is not limited to a torsion spring, a torsion fiber and a torsion bar to bias the cleaning device 218 against the compacting surface 118 of the first compacting drum 102. The biasing member 238 may be a flexible elastic object that stores mechanical energy upon being twisted.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the present disclosure, the disclosed cleaning device assembly 120, by virtue of having two pivot connections, one at the interface where it is attached with the frame 106 and another at the cleaning device 218, allows the cleaning device 218 to effectively follow the compacting surface 118 of the compacting drums 102,104 during the operation. The vibration from the compacting drums 102,104 or bounces caused by any protuberance on the road may not get transmitted through the pivoting connection between the cleaning device 218 and the linkage members 204, 205. Also due to the weight of the cleaning device 218, the pivot connection may allow the linkage members 204, 205 to adjust the inclination along the XX′ (see FIG. 3) while not loosing contact between the cleaning device 218 and the compacting surface 118 of the compacting drums 102,104.

While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A cleaning device assembly for a drum of a compactor machine, the cleaning device assembly comprising: a support member connected to a frame of the compactor machine; a linkage member having a first end and a second end, the linkage member pivotally connected to the support member at the first end; a mounting plate pivotally connected to the linkage member at the second end thereof; and a cleaning device mounted to the mounting plate, the cleaning device extending along a length of the drum.
 2. The cleaning device assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and the second ends of the linkage member are spherical rod ends.
 3. The cleaning device assembly of claim 1, wherein the cleaning device comprises an absorbent mat contacting a surface of the drum.
 4. The cleaning device assembly of claim 1 further comprising a spray assembly configured to spray a liquid onto the surface of the drum.
 5. The cleaning device assembly of claim 1 further comprising a scraper blade extending along a length of the drum.
 6. The cleaning device assembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting plate is an L-shaped bracket and has an upstanding attachment portion and a base portion.
 7. The cleaning device assembly of claim 6, wherein the cleaning device is rigidly fastened with the base portion of the mounting plate.
 8. The cleaning device assembly of claim 1 further comprising a biasing member engaged between the support member and the linkage member, the biasing member configured to press the cleaning device against a surface of the drum.
 9. A machine comprising: frame; a compacting member supported by the frame; and a cleaning device assembly for the compacting ember, the cleaning device assembly including: a support member connected to the frame; a linkage member having a first end and a second end, the linkage member pivotally connected to the support member at the first end; a mounting plate pivotally connected to the linkage member at the second end thereof; and a cleaning device mounted to the mounting plate, the cleaning device extending along a length of the compacting member.
 10. The machine of claim 9, wherein the first and the second ends of the linkage member are spherical rod ends.
 11. The machine of claim 9, wherein the cleaning device comprises an absorbent mat contacting a surface of the compacting member.
 12. The machine of claim 9, wherein the cleaning device assembly further comprising a spray assembly configured to spray a liquid onto the surface of the compacting member.
 13. The machine of claim 9, wherein the cleaning device assembly comprises a scraper blade extending along a length of the compacting member.
 14. The machine of claim 9, wherein the mounting plate is an L-shaped bracket and has an upstanding attachment portion and a base portion.
 15. The machine of claim 14, wherein the cleaning device is rigidly fastened with the base portion of the mounting plate.
 16. The machine of claim 9, wherein the cleaning device assembly further comprising a biasing member engaged between the support member and the linkage member, the biasing member configured to press the cleaning device against a surface of the compacting member.
 17. A cleaning device assembly for a compacting member of a compactor machine, the cleaning device assembly comprising: a support member connected to a frame of the compactor machine; a linkage member having a first end and a second end, the linkage member pivotally connected to the support member at the first end; a mounting plate pivotally connected to the linkage member at the second end thereof; an absorbent mat mounted to the mounting plate, the absorbent mat extending along a length of the compacting member and contacting a. surface of the compacting member; and a spray assembly configured to spray a liquid onto the surface of the compacting member.
 18. The cleaning device assembly of claim 17, wherein the first and the second ends of the linkage member are spherical rod ends.
 19. The cleaning device assembly of claim 17 further comprising a scraper blade extending along a length of the compacting member.
 20. The cleaning device assembly of claim 17 further comprising a biasing member engaged between the support member and the linkage member, the biasing member configured to press the cleaning device against a surface of the compacting member. 